Introduction
One of the biggest safety decisions a parent makes is when to switch their child from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing คาร์ซีท – https://babyhillsthailand.com/car-seat-for-baby/. Car seat position is based on safety and will play a huge factor in their survivability in the event of an accident, so when is the right time? However, parents are not always sure when to transition, so they will do it prematurely and otherwise jeopardize their safety. But this guide will provide you the best age, weight & height requirements for a long-lasting change.
Why Rear-Facing Is Your Best Option
The safest way to travel with an infant or toddler is in a คาร์ซีท in the rear-facingposition. This means that when it comes to sudden stops or crashes, this design protects the head, neck and spine of your child from injuries that can become fatal. In a rear-facing child seat, crash forces are distributed evenly across the back of the seat and away from the head.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and many safety groups worldwide advise keeping children in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, the researchers cite data showing that each year, more than 18,000 children aged 3 or younger are injured while riding in forward-facing car seats. Convertible seats (often referred to as all-in-one car seats) are designed to be used rear-facing for several years or until the child reaches the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer, which is often well over 40 pounds.
Signs It’s Time to Switch to Forward-Facing
Many parents have asked, “When should I switch my child to a front-facing car seat?” Which brings us to right or wrong… How do we know?
- Age
While many seats will keep children in a rear-facing position much longer, most experts agree that children should stay this way until at least 2 years old. A few can stay rear-facing until they turn four, as long as they have not crossed the seat limits.
- Weight
Verify the weight limits on any existing seat There are rear-facing seats that can take up to 35–40 pounds. If your child weighs more than 40 pounds, he or she should be in a five-point harness.
- Height
However, if their head is less than 1 inch from the top of the seat, they have outgrown that seat even if under the weight limit. Now move your child into a forward-facing harnessed seat.
Picking the Right Car Seat for your Forward-Facing Child
Once your child is set-up, choose a leafy car seat with a 5-point harness system!!! These harnesses have better protection, because they protect the shoulders, hips and between the legs as well.
Forward facing seats come in a few different forms:
- Convertible Car Seats: Convertible types go both ways. They can be used facing the rear of the vehicle and when your child is bigger, they can be installed facing forward in the car, so they are very cost efficient.
- Combination Seats: Forward-facing with harness plus booster.
- All-in-One Seats: Move from rear-facing to front-facing and then into a booster for longer use.
Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s directions and tighten it properly always.
Forward-Facing Car Seats Safety Tips
- Put the seat in your car in the back seat (it doesn’t go up front)
- Employ the tether strap as added security to minimize forward head movement in a crash.
- Always make sure the harness is snug and at or above your child’s shoulders for forward-facing travel.
- Do not move your child to a booster seat too soon; keep the child in a forward-facing seat as long as possible up to the height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
This often causes parents to switch their children out of the rear-facing car seat too soon just because it looks uncomfortable for their kid’s legs. Mainly, though, this is a non-issue when it comes to safety. The human back is not designed to sit in a deeply curved position and yet young kids are very pliable and can well stay that way far longer than most parents realize.
Not reading the car seat manual is another mistake. Every คาร์ซีท has specific weight and height limits (the above is for a Midi Rider – always check)
Final Thoughts
As a parent, there is a perpetually looming day of making the mental switch from rear-facing to forward-facing. The rear-facing คาร์ซีท – https://babyhillsthailand.com/car-seat-for-baby/ your child is the more safety they are in a car crash. When your child is ready to transition, choose a top-rated highback forward-facing seat with 5-point harness and install correctly. Don’t forget, the safety of your child is most important so do not try to hurry up.
Read and follow these guidelines to make sure your child is safe and comfortable on their ride.